What To Buy? Zyrtec R, Zyrtec D & Zyrtec.

Q: Should I Take Zyrtec R or Zyrtec D?

Zyrtec-D contains a decongestant, pseudoephedrine, which may make it MORE EFFECTIVE in patients who have predominant symptoms of a BLOCKED NOSE . Zyrtec-R will likely be MORE EFFECTIVE than Zyrtec-D for the FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis / hay fever) Hives (urticaria) / itchy skin rash Red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) Itchy nose Eczema (dermatitis) Asthma Generalized and skin reactions to bites and stings If Zyrtec is available, it can be taken in place of Zyrtec-R. Pseudoephedrine (in Zyrtec-D) needs to be used with caution, especially in older patients. Some side effects of pseudoephedrine include: Common Side Effects Trouble sleeping Restlessness Nausea / Vomiting Weakness Headache Dizziness Anxiety Palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or pounding) Fast heart rate High blood pressure Tremor (involuntary shaking) Urinary retention (having trouble urinating or emptying the bladder completely) This list of side effects is not exhaustive. If in doubt, please contact your doctor.

Q: What Is The Zyrtec R Dosage?

Zyrtec®-R Film-Coated Tablet 10 mg Children aged from 6 to 12 years: Half a tablet twice daily. Adolescents 12 years and above / Adults: 1 tablet once daily. Half of the tablet starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. Swallow the tablet whole, with a glass of water. The tablet can be divided into 2 equal doses. Zyrtec® R tablets are not recommended for children under 6 years, as the formulation does not allow for appropriate dosage adjustment. Zyrtec®-R Oral Solution 1 mg/mL Children aged from 2 to 6 years: 2.5 mL of oral solution (half of a spoon) twice daily. Children aged from 6 years to 12 years: 5 mL oral solution (1 full spoon) twice daily. Adolescents 12 years and above, and adults: 10 mL of oral solution (2 full spoons) once daily. 5 mL oral solution (1 full spoon) starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Please consult your doctor regarding side effects and drug interactions before starting the medication; or if symptoms persist.

Q: What Is The Zyrtec D Dosage?

Zyrtec®-D Tablet Adults and Children aged 12 years and older: One tablet twice daily (morning and evening) Children under 12 years of age: Zyrtec-D is NOT TO BE ADMINISTERED in children under 12 years of age The tablet should be swallowed whole with some liquid, and must not be broken, chewed or crushed. It may be taken with or without food. After consultation with the doctor, duration of treatment should not exceed the period of acute symptoms, and should not exceed 2 to 3 weeks. After improvement of nasal symptoms, treatment should be continued only with cetirizine, where appropriate.

Q: What Is The Zyrtec Dosage?

Zyrtec ® Tablet 10 mg Children aged from 6 to 12 years: Half of the tablet twice daily. Adolescents 12 years and above / Adults: 1 tablet once daily. Half of the tablet starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. Swallow the tablet whole, with a glass of water. The tablet can be divided into 2 equal doses. Zyrtec® tablets are not recommended for children under 6 years, as the formulation does not allow for appropriate dose adaptation.

Zyrtec®, Zyrtec D®, and Zyrtec R® are all brand names for the medication cetirizine dihydrochloride, but they may be formulated differently depending on where you live. We clear up the confusion behind the different types of Zyrtec®, their different names, and what should be used when.

Zyrtec® R

Zyrtec® R contains a single active ingredient:

Cetirizine dihydrochloride 10mg

Cetirizine belongs to a group of medications frequently prescribed for relief of cold and allergy symptoms, called antihistamines.

Antihistamines are medicines that act by blocking the body’s response to histamine in different parts of the body. This reduces the severity of the reaction and eases the symptoms of allergy.

Zyrtec® R is used to treat symptoms associated with cold and allergy symptoms and hypersensitivity, such as:

Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis / hay fever)
Morning sinus
Hives (urticaria) / itchy skin rash
Red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
Itchy nose
Eczema (dermatitis) / itchy skin
Asthma
Generalized and skin reactions to bites and stings

Zyrtec® R is the replacement / new version of original Zyrtec®, which is no longer available in Singapore under that brand name.

Zyrtec® D

Zyrtec®-D contains two active ingredients, namely:

Cetirizine dihydrochloride 5mg (immediate release form)
120 mg pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (prolonged-release form)

Cetirizine belongs to a group of medications frequently prescribed for relief of cold and allergy symptoms, called antihistamines.

Antihistamines are medicines that act by blocking the body’s response to histamine in different parts of the body. This reduces the severity of the reaction and eases the symptoms of allergy.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, that shrinks blood vessels. Decongestant drugs cause the mucous membranes in nasal passages to contract, which decreases swelling and secretion of mucus.

Zyrtec® D is used to treat conditions associated with allergy symptoms and hypersensitivity, such as:

Blocked nose / nasal obstruction
Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis / hay fever)
Hives (urticaria) / itchy skin rash
Red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
Itchy nose
Eczema (dermatitis) / itchy skin
Asthma
Generalized and skin reactions to bites and stings

Zyrtec®

Zyrtec®, in its original form is no longer available in Singapore, and has been replaced by Zyrtec® R.

Zyrtec® contained a single active ingredient:

Cetirizine dihydrochloride 10mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zyrtec R Cause Drowsiness?

Studies in adults show that about 14% of patients experienced drowsiness or somnolence whilst on Zyrtec®.

Studies in children show that about 4% of patients experienced drowsiness or somnolence while on Zyrtec®.

While everyone reacts differently to medication, drowsiness may occur with Zyrtec® and may lessen over time.

Should I Take Zyrtec R or Zyrtec D?

Zyrtec-D contains a decongestant, pseudoephedrine, which may make it MORE EFFECTIVE in patients who have predominant symptoms of a BLOCKED NOSE.

Zyrtec-R will likely be MORE EFFECTIVE than Zyrtec-D for the FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis / hay fever)
Hives (urticaria) / itchy skin rash
Red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
Itchy nose
Eczema (dermatitis)
Asthma
Generalized and skin reactions to bites and stings

If Zyrtec is available, it can be taken in place of Zyrtec-R.

Pseudoephedrine (in Zyrtec-D) needs to be used with caution, especially in older patients. Some side effects of pseudoephedrine include:

Common Side Effects

Trouble sleeping
Restlessness
Nausea / Vomiting
Weakness
Headache
Dizziness
Anxiety
Palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or pounding)
Fast heart rate
High blood pressure
Tremor (involuntary shaking)
Urinary retention (having trouble urinating or emptying the bladder completely)

This list of side effects is not exhaustive. If in doubt, please contact your doctor.

What Is The Zyrtec R Dosage?

Zyrtec®-R Film-Coated Tablet 10 mg

Children aged from 6 to 12 years: Half a tablet twice daily.
Adolescents 12 years and above / Adults: 1 tablet once daily. Half of the tablet starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours.

Swallow the tablet whole, with a glass of water. The tablet can be divided into 2 equal doses. Zyrtec® R tablets are not recommended for children under 6 years, as the formulation does not allow for appropriate dosage adjustment.

Zyrtec®-R Oral Solution 1 mg/mL

Children aged from 2 to 6 years: 2.5 mL of oral solution (half of a spoon) twice daily.
Children aged from 6 years to 12 years: 5 mL oral solution (1 full spoon) twice daily.
Adolescents 12 years and above, and adults: 10 mL of oral solution (2 full spoons) once daily. 5 mL oral solution (1 full spoon) starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Please consult your doctor regarding side effects and drug interactions before starting the medication; or if symptoms persist.

What Is The Zyrtec D Dosage?

Zyrtec®-D Tablet

Adults and Children aged 12 years and older:

One tablet twice daily (morning and evening)

Children under 12 years of age:

Zyrtec-D is NOT TO BE ADMINISTERED in children under 12 years of age

The tablet should be swallowed whole with some liquid, and must not be broken, chewed or crushed. It may be taken with or without food. After consultation with the doctor, duration of treatment should not exceed the period of acute symptoms, and should not exceed 2 to 3 weeks. After improvement of nasal symptoms, treatment should be continued only with cetirizine, where appropriate.

What Is The Zyrtec Dosage?

Zyrtec® Tablet 10 mg

Children aged from 6 to 12 years: Half of the tablet twice daily.
Adolescents 12 years and above / Adults: 1 tablet once daily. Half of the tablet starting dose may be used if this leads to satisfactory control of the symptoms. Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours.

Swallow the tablet whole, with a glass of water. The tablet can be divided into 2 equal doses. Zyrtec® tablets are not recommended for children under 6 years, as the formulation does not allow for appropriate dose adaptation.

References:

Zyrtec®-R Patient Information Leaflet

Zyrtec®-D Patient Information Leaflet

Disclaimer:

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, treatment or medication and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 995 or visit the nearest Emergency Department immediately. No doctor-patient relationship is created by this website or its use. Neither the owner of the website, nor its employees, or any contributor to this web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.